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For those interested, here are the answers to the survey on artists' books
collections we posed in February of this year. This survey addressed
methods art libraries use for acquiring, cataloguing, storing, preserving,
promoting and providing access to artists' books. We hope these answers
are helpful.
Thanks for all of your responses and the extra time some of you took
answering our phone calls and e-mails!
Andrea Chemero
Caroline Seigel
Terrie Wilson
(Indiana University)
We did not provide the names of the respondents, as many of them asked to
remain confidential.
1. Collection size: 26 out of 27 respondents
A. Average size= 1,096
B. High= 8,000
C. Low= 10
2. How do you store them? In what way is this similar to or different
from your regular collection?
27 out of 27 (100%) store them as special collections
Several respondents keep some titles in the open stacks as well as
in a separate location. 1 reported they are kept behind the desk, and
another that they are in a separate room open to the public, but that
they are pulled upon request and can only be viewed in the reading
room, but not checked out. So,both of these were included in the
tally as stored as special collections.
3. What are your circulation policies for artists' books?
100% in-house use only
____ regular circulation
____ other--one library allows inter-library loaning of their
artistsU books, but did not specify the rules.
4. Are any special measures taken for the preservation of your
artists' books collection?
__22_ yes (81%)
__5__ no
If yes, please describe:
Answers: 21 out of 27, or 77% Provide protective enclosures of some type
for individual artists' books.These range from archival folios to
custom-fitted boxes per item.
7 out of 27, or 26% noted the collections are stored in climate-controlled
environments; one respondent mentioned filtered air as well as
temperature and humidity control.
5 out of 27, or 19% reported (for both) the use of gloves or clean hands
are necessary when handling the items and that no markings or barcodes are
allowed on the items for acquisitions purposes.
2 out of 27, or 7% noted that the items are shelved by size to reduce
crowding and abrasion.
2 out of 27, also reported being stored in enclosed cabinets.
1 out of 27, or 4% said they get museum staff to consult them on peculiar
items which merit special attention.
3 out of 27, or 11% said that NO special preservation measures are taken
1 out of 27 respondents did not answer the question.
5. Are circulation statistics available for the use of your artists' books
collection?
4 of 27 (15%) respondents gave statistics for their collection of
artists books and two others volunteered comments on questions concerning
visual access to collections.
214 viewings from a collection numbered at 3,500 titles
504 viewings from a collection numbered at 400 titles
1,700 viewings from a collection numbered at 800 titles
4,838 viewings from a collection numbered at 4,000 titles
Two additional questions were asked of the these respondents.
The first question: Do you have any way for patrons to visually access
your collection of artistsU books?
4- reported that there is no visual access-although one of these
is in the process of implementing visual access/ 2 have visual access in
the form of photos, although complete holdings are not represented. The
visual aides are mainly used as finding aids and as documentation of the
collection.
The second question: If so, have you noticed an increase in the
circulation statistics due to the implementation of the web display/visual
catalog?
Both answered that there was no increased use of the collection
due to visual access, although more informed, successful searching was
achieved.
6. How do you most commonly acquire artists' books?
Please check all that apply: 27 respondents
A. Purchase from individual artist= 20/27= 74%
B. Purchase from specialized distributor= 25/27= 93%
C. Purchase from general art book distributor= 11/27= 41%
D. Other (written in):
-Donations and trading duplicates= 4/27=15%
-As suggested by faculty= 1/27= 4%
-Donations from faculty, students= 2/27=7%
7. What approximate percentage of the total collection development budget
is spent annually on artists' books?
A. Budget Allowances in Dollars: Average $2,203.12
High=$7,000.00
Low=$0.00
B. Percent of Acquisition Budget: Average=3.2% (17 respondents)
High=15%
Low=0%
C. Highest Price of Single Title: Average High Price=$1,558.33
(12 respondents)
High=$12,500.00
Low= $50.00
8. Selection Criteria: 27 respondents
A. Personal preference= 17/27= 63%
B. Cost= 19/27= 70%
C. Word of mouth= 14/27= 52%
D. Faculty recommendation= 17/27= 63%
E. Review sources= 14/27= 52%
F. Artist's reputation= 19/27= 70%
G. Artist's affiliation with institution= 13/27= 48%
H. Other (written in): -Curricular value= 5/27= 19
-Fits scope of collection (art museum)=2/27=7%
-Supports thematic exhibitions,craftsmanship,
integrity of ideas,overall quality,
relevance of structure to content, innovative
use of materials and structures, fill in
collection gaps, likeliness of use, based on
subject or treatment, listed in Printed Matter
Catalog, edition size (must be greater
than 100), method of production,and
integration of text and image=1/27 each=4%
-Interesting structures and those described by
survey books= 2/27= 7%
9. Do you include any digital "artists' books" in your collection?
A. 3 of 27 total libraries responded yes; collections range from 6-30
CD-ROM titles and book-marked URLS.
10. METHODS OF PROMOTION: Respondents were asked to check any and all
categories that apply to their methods of promotion. Four choices were
given. Many respondents checked more than one.
13 lectures-- 48%
4 host workshops-- 15%
21 utilize exhibitions-- 78%
9 acquisition of student (and/or faculty) works-- 33%
The following categories were not asked on the survey, but filled in as
added comments by some of the respondents.
2 publications in the press
1 web page
2 word-of-mouth
1 outside visits (private tour)
11. Do you catalog your artists' books according to AACR2/LCSH standards?
24 of 27 Yes
2 No
1 No answer
*END*
